SLO County reports record number of registered voters for primary election

Record was broken with 155,804 voters

–County Clerk-Recorder Tommy Gong reports that San Luis Obispo County has a record number of registered voters for a Presidential Primary election. Numerous registrations had been flowing into the elections office during the months preceding the election. The highest number of registered voters for a Presidential Primary was 147,276 in 2012. This year, that record was broken with 155,804 registered voters. Furthermore, an unprecedented number of ballots were sent in the mail this election, over 106,000; ten thousand more ballots sent than in any prior election.

Voters are reminded that Tuesday, May 31, is the last day an application can be received by the county clerk-recorder in order to mail a vote-by-mail ballot for the June 7 Presidential Primary Election. This cut-off date allows time for the vote-by-mail ballot to be mailed to the voter and returned by Election Day. Applications can be mailed to 1055 Monterey St., D120 or faxed to (805) 781-1111. Voters can also request a ballot over the phone by calling (805) 781-5228. Vote-by-mail ballots are still available after May 31 but only to voters who are present in the clerk-recorder’s office.

If a voter requested a vote-by-mail ballot and has not yet received the ballot, they are urged to contact the clerk-recorder’s office immediately so their ballot can be replaced. Voters can also check on the status of their vote-by-mail ballot on the web at www.slovote.com.

It is imperative that the voter sign his/her name on the identification envelope containing the ballot. Without the voter’s signature, the ballot cannot be counted. New legislation allows election officials to accept voted vote-by-mail ballots that are postmarked on or before Election Day and received by mail no later than three days after Election Day. However, vote-by-mail ballots that are personally delivered to the County Clerk-Recorder’s office or at a polling place in San Luis Obispo County must be received by the close of the polls (8 p.m.) on Election Day in order to be counted.

If anyone has questions concerning the election or their vote-by-mail ballot, contact the County Clerk- Recorder, Elections Division at (805) 781-5228.